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Fraud BasicsIntro to Criminal Infrastructure

Understanding the underground fraud economy - dark web markets, criminal tools, and how fraud operations are organized

Criminal Infrastructure — The Market Behind the Attacks

Last updated: 2025-08-26 · Estimated time: 10–14 min

Modern fraud runs on a supply chain: markets, tools, operators, and cash‑out routes. Know the stack and you’ll know where to break it.


The BidenCash Playbook (Real Case)

Story (true): In 2022, a carding market called BidenCash opened shop. To win buyers, it gave away huge “free dumps” of stolen cards—public stunts that drove traffic. The site worked like a business: seller onboarding, listings, support, and fees. In June 2025, U.S. authorities seized about 145 domains linked to the operation. The message was clear: this is organized commerce, not random chaos.
Sources: U.S. DOJ (EDVA) seizure notice; BleepingComputer and CyberScoop coverage; Flashpoint analysis (see full citations below).


The Stack (How It Fits Together)

  • Markets (the storefront): discovery, reputation, escrow, “support,” and affiliates.
  • Vendors (the suppliers): stolen cards/creds, fullz, access, tools.
  • Tool makers (the tech): checkers, autobuy bots, proxy services, fake‑ID kits, OTP bypass/bot frameworks.
  • Operators (the workforce): cash‑out crews, social engineers, SIM‑swappers, mules.
  • Cash‑out (the exit): drops, reshipping, mixers, prepaid rails, high‑risk MIDs.

Defensive moves

  • Treat it like a supply chain: disrupt inputs, platforms, and outputs.
  • Share signals with issuers/networks; many patterns are cross‑merchant.
  • Expect publicity‑driven surges after big “free dump” events.

Sources (verified)


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